Pakistan Railways (PR) is targeting a January 2027 start for civil work on the first phase of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, a $2.5 billion initiative to modernise the country's busiest rail corridor. The initial phase covers the 480-kilometre Karachi-to-Rohri section, a stretch that handles 76 per cent of passenger traffic and 98 per cent of freight, where ageing track has long been blamed for frequent derailments; the upgrade will add new parallel tracks, fencing, improved signalling, and allow train speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour. Financing is expected to come primarily from the Asian Development Bank, with co-financing being explored from several other multilateral lenders, while PR is holding market engagement sessions with international contractors and consultants from 8 September to accelerate tendering ahead of the prime minister's January deadline.